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Over 700 respondents filled in this year’s UK Virtual Assistant Survey, and the insights are very interesting. Hourly rates are stabilising, networking and word of mouth are key, VAs are outsourcing far less, the biggest challenge (and complaint) is training and AI wasn’t what everyone was expecting. "In this completely digital age that we live in, face-to-face and human contact is so important still. There's just no change in the fact that people work with people." - Gwen Backhouse This week on The Visionary VA Podcast, I am joined by Gwen Backhouse, award-winning virtual assistant, owner of Curlew Secretarial Solutions, and the person behind the Society of Virtual Assistants (SVA).Gwen shares her personal VA journey, how her business has evolved and what has changed most over the years. We also explore how she became interested in community, raising standards and joining the Society of Virtual Assistants.Then it’s on to the 2026 UK VA Survey, where we analyse what the results mean for the industry. We cover rates, outsourcing, AI, challenges, to niche or not to niche, and so much more. Key takeaways: 1️⃣ Get out and go networking. People want to know who they're going to be working with, so work out who you want to work with and be where they're going to be. 2️⃣ Don't run and hide from AI. The biggest opportunity right now is clients who don't know how to use AI, or are scared of it, and are asking for support. 3️⃣ Get your best practice in place, and do your homework on training. Insurance, contracts, ICO registration and legal policies are the basic things you only know if you know. After listening to this episode, I really urge you to grab a copy of the 2026 UK VA Survey. It is a fascinating read which you can use not only as a benchmark, but to also decide what actions you need to take for your business. Timestamps: (00:00) Podcast episode starts (01:04) Gwen's VA journey (03:44) How has Gwen's VA business evolved over the years? (07:42) How the VA industry has changed (13:05) Taking over and the origins of the SVA (14:48) The SVA's role in the industry today (19:15) Introducing the UK VA Survey 2026 (20:03) What was the most surprising finding from the survey? (23:02) Biggest changes over the last 3–5 years (25:34) What VA services are growing and disappearing? (27:15) The impact of AI on VAs (30:49) The shift to specialist and strategic work (32:55) Where VAs are finding clients (37:17) Biggest challenges facing VAs (40:23) Biggest opportunities facing VAs (41:57) Survey trends: concerns and reasons for optimism (43:33) How to use the survey to benchmark your business (46:41) How will the VA industry look in three years' time? (48:27) Where to get the survey report About Gwen: Gwen Backhouse is an award-winning virtual assistant with over 12 years in the VA industry, built on a foundation of 24 years in business administration. She runs the Society of Virtual Assistants (SVA), where she is dedicated to setting high standards, sharing resources, and advocating for the essential work virtual assistants contribute across the UK. Through her own business, Curlew Secretarial Solutions, Gwen delivers personalised support that empowers her clients to focus on what truly matters to their businesses. Where to find Gwen: Society of Virtual Assistants (SVA) 👉 https://societyofvirtualassistants.co.uk/ Gwen's LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/virtualassistantcumbria/ Society of Virtual Assistants (SVA) LinkedIn 👉https://www.linkedin.com/company/society-of-virtual-assistants Society of Virtual Assistants (SVA) Facebook 👉 https://www.facebook.com/societyofvirtualassistants Society of Virtual Assistants (SVA) Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/societyofvirtualassistants Resources 🔗 UK VA Survey 2026 👉 https://societyofvirtualassistants.co.uk/product/uk-virtual-assistant-survey-report-2026/ Society of Virtual Assistants (SVA) shop 👉 https://societyofvirtualassistants.co.uk/shop/

How do you go from 19 years as a primary school teacher, through two redundancies, to fully booked as a VA within six weeks? This week I am joined by Any Other Business founder, Martha Kilner, who shares her story. We also talk about how she's transitioned into being the operational backbone of the businesses she works with, and why Virtual Assistants should embrace AI rather than shy away from it. "I think generic VA tasks will be redundant... and the VAs who have moved on to being the operational thinkers and the true right-hand person in the business will be the ones who'll be fully booked." - Martha Kilner. That shift, from generic tasks to operational thinking, is exactly what AI has made possible for Martha. We explore what AI actually means for the industry right now, how she uses it to become better and more efficient at her job, what it does well (and not so well), and the tactics she uses to get the most out of it. She also shares what VA tasks are at risk with AI, what isn’t going to be replaced, and the importance of keeping up to date. There’s also a rapid-fire question round (most underrated AI feature, most used AI tool, etc) and her prediction for the VA industry by 2030. Key takeaways: 1️⃣ AI won’t make VAs redundant, but it will make some generic tasks redundant. Move from task execution to operational thinking, where you become someone your clients rely on. 2️⃣ It’s important to spend time getting the foundations right with AI. If you don’t, it will just churn out rubbish that isn’t useful for anyone. 3️⃣ When you become more efficient, you need to stop charging by the hour and penalising yourself. Base your pricing on the value you're giving to your client. Pick one AI tool. Whether that’s Claude, Copilot, Gemini, ChatGPT, or whatever is best for you, and go all in on it. Spend the time getting it set up properly, the way you'd brief a new team member. And if you don’t know where to start with AI, Martha reminds us that asking “what do I want it to do?” is much more helpful than “what can it do?” Timestamps: (00:00) Podcast episode starts (01:30) Martha's VA journey (03:40) How has your business changed over the years (05:47) Impact AI has had on business (09:22) What tasks don't you outsource to AI? (10:06) Is AI going to make VA jobs redundant? (11:16) Advice for VAs feeling they're behind (13:18) Will AI always be a specialist skill? (14:22) Has AI changed your mindset on pricing? (16:55) Checking the quality of AI's output (19:24) Keeping up with the latest in AI (21:54) Deciding what is genuinely useful for businesses (23:02) Common mistakes people make with AI (24:08) Overhyped AI features in the industry (24:53) Quick fire AI questions (25:58) AI prediction for 2030 About Martha Martha Kilner is the founder of Any Other Business, where she works as a Business Ops and AI Specialist for founders juggling everything at once, brilliant at what they do, held together by memory rather than a system. Before AOB, Martha spent nearly twenty years in primary education, including years leading on IT, unlikely training for building systems around how people actually think. Her flagship offer, The Smooth Operator Method, AI training sessions and whizzy tech skills help founders turn what's living in their head into something someone else could run. Where to find Martha: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martha-kilner/ Website: https://aobva.com/ Resources mentioned in this episode Espresso AI newsletter: https://thevahandbook.mykajabi.com/espresso-ai-signup

From the outside your VA business looks like it’s doing really well. You have good clients, decent money and a jam- packed calendar. How could there possibly be a problem? Well, the issue is there’s a stage in business that is deceptive; instead of building a business you may have accidentally created yourself a job. "Technically, you absolutely have a business, but functionally, you may have created yourself a job." In this episode we’re exploring the difference between being self-employed, being busy and actually building a sustainable business that works. I’m not talking about building an agency, hiring a team or creating a passive income stream - a solo virtual assistant with four brilliant clients can be a fantastic business. The distinction is whether you’re actually running your business, rather than the business running you. I’ll walk you through the five signs that signal you’ve built yourself a job rather than a business which are 1) your income is completely dependent on your time; 2) you’re too busy to work on the business; 3) one client has too much power; 4) you can never truly step away; and 5) you don’t know your numbers. It's not the difference between being self-employed and being a business owner, but being intentional rather than accidental. Stop asking “how do I get more clients?” and start asking “what does a good business actually look like for me?”. Key takeaways: 1️⃣ Being busy and being resilient aren’t the same thing - being fully booked doesn’t mean you’ve built a business that can withstand a client leaving, a quiet month or two, or having a few weeks away from your desk. 2️⃣ Client work always feels urgent; your own business rarely does. Nobody is chasing you about reviewing pricing or planning a head, so protect CEO time before a problem forces you to. 3️⃣ Run your business on numbers, not vibes. Know what it costs to run your business, your margins, and what services actually make money. Make decisions based on fact rather than a feeling. Set aside 30 mins this week to answer the following questions: 1️⃣ What did I originally want this business to give me? 2️⃣ Is my business currently giving me that? 3️⃣ What’s one thing I need to change? Don’t create an in-depth business transformation plan - pick one simple thing and implement it. Timestamps: (00:00) Does being fully booked mean you’re successful (01:40) The difference between being self-employed, being busy, and building a business that works for you (06:38) Is your income completely dependent on your time (07:53) Are you too busy to work on your business? (08:58) Does one client have too much power? (10:05) Can you properly step away from your business (10:55) Do you know your numbers (12:36) Why did you start the business in the first place? (13:17) 3 questions every VA business owner should ask themselves (13:50) Join our All Stars community Join the All Stars community ✨ Join the All Stars community today. Doors are open until Sunday, 13th September and won't reopen again until 2027. Join here 🔗 Resources Join VA Handbookers Facebook group Subscribe to The VA Handbook

Why did you start your virtual assistant business? No, I mean the real reason. What was the life you were trying to create? Was it more freedom, flexibility, financial independence, or more time with your children? Eight years in business has taught me those dreams can become a reality and the obstacle isn’t a lack of information, but not having the right support around you. "Sometimes you don't need another training course, you simply need a conversation. Because I don't think the problem is a lack of information, I think the problem is often a lack of support and a lack of confidence." In this episode of The Visionary VA Podcast, we’ll explore what’s really missing for established VAs trying to grow a successful business. It’s not another course, PDF template or more information, but genuine support and a real community of people who understand the journey. I built my business through determination, trial and error, and by making plenty of mistakes. All without a support system around me, which is something I desperately needed. During conversations with other aspiring virtual assistants, the same themes kept coming up: "I know what I should be doing, but I'm not doing it," or "I feel like everybody else has got it figured out except me." These conversations and my own experience inspired me to launch All Stars, a brand-new membership community for established VAs. Built around four pillars: access, accountability, community and momentum, it’s designed to be the go-to place for support. Whether you have a question, need accountability, want to celebrate a win, or to simply remember why you started in the first place. Key takeaways: 1️⃣ Information isn't the problem, support is. We've never had more access to information, yet so many VAs still feel stuck. The real gap isn't knowledge, it's having people around you who understand the journey and can offer honest, real-time support. 2️⃣ Success looks different for everyone: more freedom, more flexibility, financial independence, more time with your children, or simply a business that feels sustainable rather than overwhelming. 3️⃣ You don't have to build your business alone. Whether it's a quick sense-check on a client conversation, accountability to follow through on your plans, or simply somewhere to celebrate a win, having the right people in your corner can completely change the trajectory of your business. Join the All Stars waitlist now. Doors open Monday 7th September for one week only and won't reopen again until 2027. Joining the waitlist gets you early access before doors officially open, plus entry into a prize draw to win three months of free membership. Join the waitlist Please note the free prize draw closes at 8pm UK time on 6 September 2026. Open internationally to eligible entrants aged 18+. No purchase necessary. [Full terms apply.] Timestamps: (00:00) What's the real reason you started your business? (01:19) The loneliness of running a business (03:15) Building a business through trial and error (03:56) Information isn't the same as support (05:09) Common themes from talking to VAs (05:58) Introducing All Stars (06:36) The four pillars: access, accountability, community, momentum (10:07) What is All Stars? (12:39) How to join the All Stars waitlist (13:29) You don't have to build a VA business alone 🔗 Resources: Join VA Handbookers Facebook group: Subscribe to The VA Handbook

Would you be upset and offended if someone described your business as boring? I've spent eight years running my business, and have come to a very different conclusion: one of the biggest signs of a healthy business is that it's a little bit boring. "Most successful businesses aren't built through huge breakthroughs. They're built through hundreds of ordinary days done well." In this episode of The Visionary VA Podcast, I push back on the idea that success has to always be exciting. Social media sells us six-figure launches, sold-out-in-24-hours offers and endless "big announcements". However, the reality of running a business is replying to emails, reviewing your finances, updating your systems and delivering consistently, week after week, month after month, year after year. Consistency isn't sexy, it's powerful, and that consistency almost always beats intensity. There's value in predictability: predictable income, predictable systems, a predictable client experience. This creates confidence rather than exhaustion and chaos. As businesses mature, the highs get less dramatic not because you're less successful, but because you're more stable. That's not boring, that's resilience. Key takeaways: 1️⃣ Consistency beats intensity. You don't need to reinvent your business every six months, or chase every trend. You need to keep showing up, again and again and again. 2️⃣ Aim for simplicity. If everything feels urgent and every week feels different, ask whether you've accidentally created unnecessary complexity. Sustainable growth comes from repeating what already works. 3️⃣ Predictability builds confidence. Predictable income, systems and client experience aren't exciting to talk about, but they're what stop you constantly firefighting and let you plan with confidence. This week, ask yourself, what one action can I do to make my business more consistent? Where can you create more structure, predictability or simplicity? These are all the foundations of sustainable growth.If this makes you boring, lean into it, because boring businesses often turn out to be incredibly successful ones. Timestamps: (00:00) Is your business boring (and why that's a good thing)? (01:29) What building a sustainable business really looks like (02:22) The power of predictability in business (03:36) Stop chasing shiny objects that will take you off course (05:29) Why I don't want the fastest, loudest and busiest business --- 🔗 Resources ⁠⁠⁠Join VA Handbookers Facebook group⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to The VA Handbook

Eight years ago, I was sitting at my shiny new desk with a laptop, a huge amount of determination, and a VA business called Virtually Priceless - and if I'm honest, I had no idea if it would work.I started without any clients, a team or roadmap, and I was dealing with major challenges in my personal life. Fast forward eight years and so much has changed. We've worked with incredible clients, built an amazing team, won awards and supported dozens of fantastic businesses. "You don't become a confident business owner and then make big decisions. You make big decisions, and that's how confidence is built." To celebrate eight years of Virtually Priceless, I am going to do something a little different this week. Instead of talking systems, marketing or pricing, I’m sharing eight of the biggest lessons I’d give myself back in 2018. Some things I’d do differently, some I’d do sooner, and one I am incredibly grateful I did from the very beginning. This episode is about reflecting on how building a business has changed me personally, just as much as it has affected my bank balance, my confidence and my skills. Whether you've been in business for eight weeks, eight months or eight years, there's a lesson in here that could save you a little time, stress or heartache. Key takeaways: 1️⃣ Build financial resilience while times are good. Only take what you need and leave the rest in the business to build an emergency fund. When tough periods happen, having this buffer allows you to make strategic decisions rather than emotional ones. 2️⃣ Build systems before you think you need them. Every process that only exists inside your head is a risk. Document things early, create templates, write SOPs. This way you’re ready when it's time to take on an associate, hire, or take time off. 3️⃣ Build the business around your life, not the other way round. There’s no such thing as a perfect, elusive work-life balance. Focus on building a business that supports the life you actually want to live, prioritising health, family and time to breathe alongside the work. You don't need eight years of experience to make better decisions, you just have to keep learning. Every client, every challenge, every mistake and every success has something to teach you. So take the lesson that landed hardest for you today and put it into action this week, whatever the scary, audacious thing is that you're putting off, just do it. Timestamps: (0:00) Podcast episode starts (01:48) Lesson one: Stop waiting until you're ready (02:32) Lesson two:  Build a business, not a self-employed job (03:23) Lesson three: Protect your boundaries (03:54) Lesson four: Build financial resilience (06:02) Lesson five: Stop taking setbacks personally (06:40) Lesson six: Build processes before you need them (07:09) Lesson seven:  Build the business around your life (08:28) Lesson eight: Trust in yourself more --- 🔗 Resources ⁠⁠Join VA Handbookers Facebook group⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Subscribe to The VA Handbook

What if the easiest way to grow your business isn't finding more clients, it's keeping and developing the ones you've already got? "Clients don't stay with us simply because we're good at the work. They stay because working with us is easy, professional, reliable, consistent and they feel looked after." In this episode of The Visionary VA Podcast, I’m walking you through the 7-step client experience audit. This audit allows you to put yourself in your client's shoes and look at every single touchpoint they have with your business. From the very first impression someone gets of you, through the enquiry process, the discovery call, onboarding, day-to-day delivery, reviews and feedback, right through to how (and if) a relationship ends. Clients who have an exceptional experience stay longer, spend more, refer more and speak positively about your business when you're not in the room. Key takeaways: 1️⃣ From first impression to initial enquiry, ask yourself: is it obvious, is it professional, and does it build confidence? Don’t leave potential clients confused. 2️⃣ A discovery call is about understanding, not selling. It's about listening and building trust. Ask yourself honestly: does the prospect leave the call feeling clearer than when they joined? 3️⃣ Confidence, not just competence. Be proactive rather than waiting to be chased, communicate regularly, update clients before they ask, and flag potential issues early. Write down every stage of your own client journey, from finding you right through to finishing the relationship, and score yourself out of 10 for each stage. Ask where clients experience friction, where things are inconsistent, and where you could make life easier. Remember: businesses that grow sustainably aren't always the ones shouting the loudest. They're the ones people genuinely enjoy working with. Timestamps: (00:00) Podcast episode starts (01:21) Step 1: Are you making a good first impression? (02:10) Step 2: How easy is the enquiry process? (02:43) Step 3: Improving your discovery calls (03:35) Step 4: What is your onboarding process like? (04:15) Step 5: Review your day-to-day client experience (04:53) Step 6: Have a look at your review and feedback process (05:27) Step 7: What happens when clients leave? --- 🔗 Resources ⁠Join VA Handbookers Facebook group⁠ Download 'Hiring Associates with Ease' guide ⁠Subscribe to The VA Handbook

Ever said yes to something and then immediately regretted it? Maybe you squeezed in one more five-minute task, worked later than planned, or took something on that was actually out of scope, because you genuinely wanted to help. If that resonates with you, this episode is for you. "Clients don't usually value you because you answered emails at 9pm or because you squeezed in another task on a Friday afternoon. They value you because you're reliable, you're organised, you're proactive, you solve problems, and you make their lives easier." In this episode, I'm exploring something I've come across time and time again, not just in mentoring sessions but in myself too: the hidden cost of being too helpful.Being helpful isn't a bad thing, it's one of the reasons so many of us become VAs in the first place, but there comes a point where being helpful quietly turns into over-responsibility, and that's where the problems begin.I explore how it's rarely one big thing that tips the balance, it's usually tiny things. Five minutes here, ten minutes there, one extra task, one favour, one exception, and before you know it, you've accidentally trained your clients to expect more than they're paying for. Not because they're bad clients, because you've shown them that's how you work. Your clients won't know where your boundaries are unless you consistently demonstrate and reinforce them. Also, if your whole business model depends on you (and your associates) constantly being helpful, you can't scale it. Key takeaways: 1️⃣ Notice the "it's only five minutes" moments. These tiny exceptions are usually how scope creep starts. Ask yourself honestly: am I doing this just because I'm worried about disappointing someone? 2️⃣ If constantly over-delivering becomes the benchmark, simply delivering what's been agreed starts to feel like you've done less, and the benchmark keeps moving. 3️⃣ Swap "how can I be more helpful?" for "what outcome is my client actually paying me to achieve?" Try responses like "I'd love to help with that, shall I quote for the additional work?" or "that's outside the current scope, but here's how we could support you."From today, start paying attention to every time you say "it's only five minutes," because it probably isn't. Healthy boundaries don't damage relationships, they protect them. When you say yes intentionally instead of saying yes to everything, you become more sustainable, and that's exactly the kind of business you want to build. Start protecting yourself and your time. When you protect your time, your energy, and your expertise, you're not becoming less helpful, you're becoming more sustainable. Timestamps: (00:00) Podcast episode starts (00:26) Why we're exploring the cost of being "too helpful" (01:13) When helpfulness turns into over-responsibility (02:48) What overdelivering really costs you (03:15) What clients actually value (04:50) Healthy boundaries protect relationships (05:23) Two different reasons for saying yes 🔗 Resources Join VA Handbookers Facebook group Subscribe to The VA Handbook

School holidays are just around the corner and if you're already feeling the dread, this episode is for you. There’s an alternative to six weeks of juggling client work, childcare and guilt. "A sustainable business isn't one that only works when life is quiet. A sustainable business works alongside real life and real life includes school holidays, sick children, family commitments, and unexpected disruptions." In this episode of The Visionary VA Podcast, I discuss one of the things nobody really talks about when they tell you to start a business for more flexibility: school holidays. Drawing on eight years of experience as a parent building a business, I share why the goal isn't just to survive school holidays, but to build a business that can withstand them. From shifting your mindset and communicating with clients early, to building margin into your business model and letting go of perfection, this episode contains practical, realistic strategies for business owners with children. Because school holidays aren't an unexpected emergency, they happen every year, and if we know they're coming, we can build accordingly. Key takeaways: 1️⃣ School holidays are part of your operating model, not a disruption to it. Stop treating them as a surprise and start planning your business around the reality of your life. 2️⃣ Build margin in time, finances and capacity. If your business only works when you're working flat out, that's not a problem you'll solve with better time management, it's usually a business model problem. 3️⃣ Not every season is about growth. During the holidays, success might simply mean maintaining excellent service, keeping things moving, being present with your family and protecting your energy. Before the next school holiday, don't ask "how am I going to survive this?", ask: "how can I design my business to support me through it?" Think about what you need to do, write a list of actions and implement with plenty of notice. That's where real sustainability comes from, not working harder, but building smarter. Timestamps: (00:00) Podcast episode starts (02:22) Holidays are part of your business, not a disruption (03:06) Questions to ask before the holidays start (04:20) Building margin into your business (05:32) Redefining success during school holidays (05:51) Building support around you (07:03) Asking for help (08:30) What a truly sustainable business looks like 🔗 Resources Business mentoring for virtual assistants Subscribe to The VA Handbook

If your virtual assistant business isn't growing, the problem probably isn't what you think. It's not your marketing, fierce competition, or AI making you redundant. The issue is that you don’t have strong enough foundations. “ Most struggling VA businesses don't have a marketing problem at all. They have a foundations problem.”  Successful businesses aren't built on hacks, trends or luck. They're built on solid principles and strategy. Get those right and everything else becomes a whole lot easier. This week we’ll explore the six essential foundations you need in place to be successful, explaining in detail what they are and the impact that they have. Main takeaways: 1️⃣ The six essential foundations behind every successful business are having a clear offer, sustainable pricing, effective systems, consistent marketing, financial tracking, and an exceptional client experience.  2️⃣ Your next big breakthrough doesn't usually come from doing more. It comes from strengthening what already exists within your business. 3️⃣ Whether you're just starting out or running an established VA business, the challenges may look different but the businesses that thrive all share the same core pillars.This week, find time in your calendar to review the foundations explored today within your own business.Ask yourself which ones are currently weakest and create a strategy to strengthen them. Timestamps: (00:00) Podcast episode starts (02:14])  Foundation 1: Clear offer (03:29) Foundation 2: Sustainable pricing (04:47) Foundation 3: Effective systems (05:45) Foundation 4: Consistent marketing (06:53) Foundation 5: Financial tracking (08:05) Foundation 6: Client experience 🔗 Resources Hiring Associates with Ease Guide Subscribe to The VA Handbook

You are not “just” a VA. The sooner more people in the industry start believing that, the faster their business (and confidence) will grow. “ I hear it all the time, ‘I'm “just” a VA. I “only” do admin. It's “nothing special”.’ And every single time, I want to stop people mid-sentence, because there is nothing “just” about what we do." This week we tackle one of the most damaging (and common) habits in the virtual assistant industry: minimising what we do and the real impact we have on businesses. To take your VA business to the next level, you may not need to complete another course or qualification, but work on your self-belief and knowing how to show up for yourself.Confidence doesn't come before the action, it comes because you actually did the scary thing. Key takeaways: 1️⃣ VAs wear many different hats, they are the organiser, the problem solver, the communicator, the project manager, the person holding things together behind the scenes while everyone else gets to shine out front. They create capacity, reduce stress, improve productivity andhelp businesses function better. 2️⃣ Stop comparing yourself to others, you’re on your own journey. You’re not behind, because someone is established and at a different stage to you, especially if it’s early days.  3️⃣ The people who grow aren't necessarily the people with the most confidence. They're often the people willing to act before they have confidence. And at some point, if you want to build something bigger, you have to stop waiting for permission. This week, do one thing you've been waiting to feel confident enough to do first, whether that’s sending that pitch, raising your rates, or finally posting that content. Don't wait for permission. Timestamps: (00:00) Start of the podcast episode (01:22) The myth about confidence (01:47) The comparison trap (03:43) Ego versus confidence (05:18) Final message: stop calling yourself "just" a VA Resources 👇 👉 Check out 'Reflect, Recharge and Build a Growth Mindset' episode 👉 Join the VA Handbookers Facebook group

It’s a myth, there’s no such thing as work-life balance – at least not in the way it’s often talked about. “Work-life balance has been sold to us as this end goal, this perfectly even split where everything feels calm and controlled and equal all the time.” Achieving the perfect work-life balance just isn't realistic for most people who are growing something and that's because growth requires input. Building my own business and supporting successful leaders over the years, I'm yet to see it play out any other way. In this week’s episode of The Visionary VA Podcast, I talk about the reality of growing a sustainable and profitable virtual assistant business. Sometimes the business needs more from you and maintaining (or even achieving) work-life balance isn’t possible. Remember, it’s not forever, it’s for a season. Just because you need to prioritise work and other areas of life may take a back seat; it doesn’t mean you’ve failed or done something wrong. Instead of chasing balance, focus on work-life integration. Where work is part of your life, not something separate from it. Key takeaways: 1️⃣ Work-life balance as a perfectly even split is unrealistic for anyone building a business. Growth requires input, and that's not a flaw; it's part of the process. 2️⃣ Instead of chasing balance, focus on work-life integration, where work is part of your life, not separate from it, built around the things that matter most to you. 3️⃣ Not every season of business is supposed to feel the same. Ask yourself: "What season am I in right now, and what does this season require from me?" Lean into it rather than fighting it. 4️⃣ Communicating openly with the people around you during busy seasons, explaining what's happening and what support you need makes a real difference. Today, tomorrow, or some point this week, grab a piece of paper and write down what season of business you're currently in. Are you in the building, growth, or stability season? Then ask yourself, "What does this season actually require from me?" and then write down your actions including what support you need from those around you. Resources 👇 Check out 'Managing Overwhelm as a VA: How to Recognise and Reset' episode

Have you heard about the very exciting new virtual assistant conference coming to the heart of Manchester? The Manchester VA Conference is a brand-new event dedicated to VAs and OBMs who want to upskill, connect with like-minded people, and learn from inspiring speakers. "It's just so nice to get out and meet people face to face that are doing the same thing that you are doing, that are facing the same challenges that you are facing, swap ideas." In this week's episode of The Visionary VA Podcast, I am joined by Emma Price and Victoria Baker, founders of The Manchester VA Conference, to talk all things community, connection, skills and why events like this matter. Key takeaways: 1️⃣ Emma and Victoria noticed there were hardly any VA conferences happening up north (with most events based down south) so they decided to change that, and The Manchester VA Conference was born. 2️⃣ The event features a diverse lineup of speakers covering everything from money mindset, AI and automations, to social media and beyond. 3️⃣ You might recognise one of the speakers, that's me! I'll be doing a session all about helping VAs own their space, back themselves, and build the business they actually want. 4️⃣ Attending VA conferences is so important for picking up new skills, learning from others, and building a network and community you can lean on. 5️⃣ Putting together an all-day conference takes serious time, care and dedication, but as Emma and Victoria will tell you, it is absolutely worth it. --- The Manchester VA Conference is happening on Wednesday 6th May, make sure you grab your ticket today. 🔗 Grab your ticket Check out previous episode, 'Networking for Virtual Assistants: Building Meaningful Connections' 🔗 Here's the link And if you're attending the conference or you're based in the Manchester area, come along to the very first official in-person VA Handbook meetup since I took over. We’d love to see you there! 🔗 Grab your ticket

This episode is a really special one. Joanne Munro, founder of The VA Handbook, joins me to share some exciting news about the next chapter for the business and community she’s built. After years of growing The VA Handbook and supporting so many VAs on their journey, Jo has made the decision to step back - and I’m incredibly proud (and honoured) to be taking it forward. In this conversation, we talk openly about: Jo’s journey building The VA Handbook and what she’s most proud of.How she knew it was the right time to move on.Why finding the right person to take it on mattered so much.What this transition means for the community.And what’s coming next. This isn’t about something ending - it’s about building on everything that’s already been created and taking it into its next phase. Key takeaways: Building a strong, supportive community takes time, consistency and care - but the impact it creates is huge.Knowing when to step back is just as important as knowing when to push forward.Trust, values and alignment matter when handing over something you’ve built.Growth often comes from making bold, sometimes uncomfortable decisions. If you’re part of The VA Handbook community (or have been following along), this episode will give you a real insight into what’s ahead - and why there’s so much to be excited about. Links and Resources 🔗 Follow Jo Munro on LinkedIn 🔗 Check out The VA Handbook 🔗 Sign up to the Espresso AI Newsletter 🔗 Check out all The Visionary VA Podcast 🔗 Check out The Visionary VA Circle

Don’t let the fear of hiring the wrong associate for your virtual assistant business get in the way of growing your team (and business). “One of the biggest fears people have when they start building a team is hiring the wrong person. What if they’re not good enough, they let the client down or create more work instead of less?” If you’d love to grow and build a team but too afraid of hiring the wrong person, this week’s episode of The Visionary VA Podcast is for you. We'll talk about the main reasons why associates don’t work out. We’ll address setting expectations, knowing if someone is the right fit, what systems you need in place, and how leadership can help. Key takeaways: 1️⃣ Skill is a factor when hiring, but it isn’t the most important thing. Communication, reliability, and attention to details are essential. Are they professional with clients or proactive and ask questions? You can teach systems but not attitude, work ethic and communication style. 2️⃣ A common reason why associate hires don’t work out is because expectations haven’t been clear enough from the start. If your new hires have to guess, this is where things go wrong. 3️⃣ The associates who work out best are the ones who feel like they’re part of something. They care about the business and take pride in their work. They’re not someone who is just logging hours. There is always a risk when hiring associates, but there are things you can do to better safeguard yourself. You have to protect your business reputation, client relationships and team culture, so you have to let someone go when someone’s not the right fit. Finding the right people to grow your team changes everything. Worrying is normal, but don’t let fear get in the way of your growth. At some point this week, take time to think about what matters most to you when hiring an associate. Write them down and start to build your own hiring blueprint, one you can return to every time you're looking to grow your team. Mentioned in the episode 👇 'Hiring Associates with Ease' ⁠⁠⁠free guide.⁠⁠⁠ Red Flags to Avoid when Hiring Virtual Assistants for Your Team episode - listen here. Resources 👇 Free ⁠⁠⁠Monthly Metrics Tracker download.⁠⁠⁠ Get our ⁠⁠Free mini course⁠⁠ on Creating Solid Business Foundations. Check out ⁠⁠our website⁠⁠.